Free Agent Signings

The Place for BC Lion Discussion. A forum for Lions fans to talk and chat about our team.
Discussion, News, Information and Speculation regarding the BC Lions and the CFL.
Prowl, Growl and Roar!

Moderator: Team Captains

User avatar
B.C.FAN
Team Captain
Posts: 12581
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:28 pm

The_Pauser wrote:I think our roster looks solid. We have the 3rd pick in the upcoming draft and should be getting a very good Canadian talent (hopefully O-Line). Our current projected starters that I can see:

QB - Jonathan Jennings
RB - Anthony Allen/Jeremiah Johnson
SB - Emmanuel Arceneaux
SB - Bryan Burnham
R - Nick Moore
WR - Lavelle Hawkins
WR - Shawn Gore (N)
LT - Tommy Draheim
LG - Hunter Steward (N)
C - Cam Thorn (N)
RG - Kirby Fabien (N)
RT - Jovan Olafioye

DE - Jabar Westerman/David Menard (N)
DE - Alex Bazzie/Craig Roh
DT - Mic'hael Brooks
DT - Zach Minter

OLB - Adam Bighill
MLB - Solomon Elimimian
OLB - Bo Lokombo (N)

CB - Ronnie Yell
CB - TJ Lee
HB - Brandon Stewart
HB - Ryan Phillips
S - Mike Edem/Eric Fraser (N)

So there I count 7 National starters (almost all having quality backups behind them with Iannuzzi, Player, Husband still on the roster).

Would be nice if we could get Collie back, but overall I think we're in pretty good shape.
The lineup is thin on non-import starters. Without a nickelback, the Lions would be vulnerable to first-down pass plays. They can't afford to have Bighill and Lokombo chasing slotbacks across the field or dropping into deep zone coverage. Bringing in an international nickelback and dime back in passing situations would mean sitting an international defensive lineman (easily done with a three-man front) AND linebacker (Elimimian or Bighill) or two international linemen. The Lions don't have proven depth on the DL for the latter option.

The nickelback position is too important in CFL defences to be ignored or given to a part-time player. Without knowing how Mark Washington plans to fill that role, it's hard to project the rest of the starters on either side of the ball.
User avatar
pennw
Legend
Posts: 1921
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:50 am
Location: Chilliwack

The_Pauser wrote:I think our roster looks solid. We have the 3rd pick in the upcoming draft and should be getting a very good Canadian talent (hopefully O-Line). Our current projected starters that I can see:

QB - Jonathan Jennings
RB - Anthony Allen/Jeremiah Johnson
SB - Emmanuel Arceneaux
SB - Bryan Burnham
R - Nick Moore
WR - Lavelle Hawkins
WR - Shawn Gore (N)
LT - Tommy Draheim
LG - Hunter Steward (N)
C - Cam Thorn (N)
RG - Kirby Fabien (N)
RT - Jovan Olafioye

DE - Jabar Westerman/David Menard (N)
DE - Alex Bazzie/Craig Roh
DT - Mic'hael Brooks
DT - Zach Minter

OLB - Adam Bighill
MLB - Solomon Elimimian
OLB - Bo Lokombo (N)

CB - Ronnie Yell
CB - TJ Lee
HB - Brandon Stewart
HB - Ryan Phillips
S - Mike Edem/Eric Fraser (N)

So there I count 7 National starters (almost all having quality backups behind them with Iannuzzi, Player, Husband still on the roster).

Would be nice if we could get Collie back, but overall I think we're in pretty good shape.
I suspect at LT they are planning to bump out Draheim with the new guy Adcock that they just signed at Dorazio's recommendation . Draheim was the pick of Malone/Tedford , Dorazio may want his own picks there . I myself liked Draheim , who seemed very agile for an OL . Hope I"m wrong on this as I think it would be a mistake letting him go . Of course it could well be that Levy Adcock is actually a good OL.
JohnnyMusso
Champion
Posts: 963
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:03 pm

There will be a few rookies that make the team, guys the Lions sign from their free agents camps. No way this roster is set with the current players they have. Every year, some surprise rookies come in and make the team. I suspect the Smith's DE position will be filled with a new rookie DE. I think Bazzie will be cut before the season starts and replaced with a rookie. I also think both Draheim and Foster are gone or one of them keep around on the practice roster, if they want to, in case of injury.
User avatar
Coast Mountain Lion
Legend
Posts: 1374
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:52 pm
Location: Champlain Heights

The_Pauser wrote:I think our roster looks solid. We have the 3rd pick in the upcoming draft and should be getting a very good Canadian talent (hopefully O-Line). Our current projected starters that I can see:

QB - Jonathan Jennings
RB - Anthony Allen/Jeremiah Johnson
SB - Emmanuel Arceneaux
SB - Bryan Burnham
R - Nick Moore
WR - Lavelle Hawkins
WR - Shawn Gore (N)
LT - Tommy Draheim
LG - Hunter Steward (N)
C - Cam Thorn (N)
RG - Kirby Fabien (N)
RT - Jovan Olafioye

DE - Jabar Westerman/David Menard (N)
DE - Alex Bazzie/Craig Roh
DT - Mic'hael Brooks
DT - Zach Minter

OLB - Adam Bighill
MLB - Solomon Elimimian
OLB - Bo Lokombo (N)

CB - Ronnie Yell
CB - TJ Lee
HB - Brandon Stewart
HB - Ryan Phillips
S - Mike Edem/Eric Fraser (N)

So there I count 7 National starters (almost all having quality backups behind them with Iannuzzi, Player, Husband still on the roster).

Would be nice if we could get Collie back, but overall I think we're in pretty good shape.
I'm not very keen on this five receiver set idea. Not that it's a new idea :bang:
Lionsfan65
Starter
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:12 am

Coast Mountain Lion wrote:I'm not very keen on this five receiver set idea. Not that it's a new idea
5 reciever set is pretty much the standard across the league now.
Lionsfan65
Starter
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:12 am

The_Pauser wrote:I think our roster looks solid. We have the 3rd pick in the upcoming draft and should be getting a very good Canadian talent (hopefully O-Line). Our current projected starters that I can see:

QB - Jonathan Jennings
RB - Anthony Allen/Jeremiah Johnson
SB - Emmanuel Arceneaux
SB - Bryan Burnham
R - Nick Moore
WR - Lavelle Hawkins
WR - Shawn Gore (N)
LT - Tommy Draheim
LG - Hunter Steward (N)
C - Cam Thorn (N)
RG - Kirby Fabien (N)
RT - Jovan Olafioye

DE - Jabar Westerman/David Menard (N)
DE - Alex Bazzie/Craig Roh
DT - Mic'hael Brooks
DT - Zach Minter

OLB - Adam Bighill
MLB - Solomon Elimimian
OLB - Bo Lokombo (N)

CB - Ronnie Yell
CB - TJ Lee
HB - Brandon Stewart
HB - Ryan Phillips
S - Mike Edem/Eric Fraser (N)

So there I count 7 National starters (almost all having quality backups behind them with Iannuzzi, Player, Husband still on the roster).

Would be nice if we could get Collie back, but overall I think we're in pretty good shape.
I hope Westerman is not playing DE again, he is much better suited for the DT position.

Wouldn't be suprised to see Stewart in the nickel position.

Fraser should be the starting safety, I wonder if Edem can play corner?
User avatar
pennw
Legend
Posts: 1921
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:50 am
Location: Chilliwack

Lionsfan65 wrote:
Coast Mountain Lion wrote:I'm not very keen on this five receiver set idea. Not that it's a new idea
5 reciever set is pretty much the standard across the league now.
This is true , it's not 1985 anymore . Many seem to talk as though BC is the only team doing certain things , such as the 5 receiver set and one back or rushing 3 dropping 8 , when in fact ALL the teams are doing the exact same thing . When I was watching the Esks play-off against the Stamps , it looked exactly like a Mark Washington defense under Chris Jones .
Watching the NFL play-offs I was seeing all the same trends too , New England did not even have a single running play in their first two drives which went the distance with all pass plays .
The fact is when ever BC has tried to appease their critics and force run plays that were not there ,they have lost badly . BC had a major resurgence last season on Offense when Jon Jennings became our starter exactly because he reignited our PASSING game . Only when the pass game is the major threat does the run game become effective in the new era .If you can't pass first and make it a threat , your run game will be stuffed regardless of how many cracks you take at it and you will lose badly . And then the more attempts at it you make, the more certain it becomes you will lose .Today's defenses are too to good for 1985 offenses . That is the new reality .
User avatar
B.C.FAN
Team Captain
Posts: 12581
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:28 pm

Re the 5-receiver set: The Lions have used Rolly Lumbala as a blocker in the four-receiver set and replaced him with a national receiver (most recently Collie) in the 5-receiver set. Losing Harris and Lumbala/Collie as national starters on offence would need to be offset by an additional national starter on defence. The most likely spot for that would be cornerback. Chris Rwabukamba played well when dropped into the field corner spot last year due to injuries. I don't think Edem has played that position but he may have the skills to try it.
maxlion
Legend
Posts: 1099
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:49 am

B.C.FAN wrote:Re the 5-receiver set: The Lions have used Rolly Lumbala as a blocker in the four-receiver set and replaced him with a national receiver (most recently Collie) in the 5-receiver set. Losing Harris and Lumbala/Collie as national starters on offence would need to be offset by an additional national starter on defence. The most likely spot for that would be cornerback. Chris Rwabukamba played well when dropped into the field corner spot last year due to injuries. I don't think Edem has played that position but he may have the skills to try it.
I believe that the additional national starting positions would be on the oline and Lokombo at LB.
User avatar
WestCoastJoe
Hall of Famer
Posts: 17721
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 8:55 pm

maxlion wrote:
B.C.FAN wrote:Re the 5-receiver set: The Lions have used Rolly Lumbala as a blocker in the four-receiver set and replaced him with a national receiver (most recently Collie) in the 5-receiver set. Losing Harris and Lumbala/Collie as national starters on offence would need to be offset by an additional national starter on defence. The most likely spot for that would be cornerback. Chris Rwabukamba played well when dropped into the field corner spot last year due to injuries. I don't think Edem has played that position but he may have the skills to try it.
I believe that the additional national starting positions would be on the oline and Lokombo at LB.
The ratio is always a top priority consideration. But do we really think Lokombo can play the CFL "nickel"? It is mostly a pass coverage role, with some blitzing mixed in, it seems to me. And who would back up Lokombo? I guess they might look at Edem.

Hmmmmm

Safety

DL

3 OL

1 Rec

1 FB or Rec (We are a bit thin at Nat Rec and Nat FB.)
............

LB?

DB or Corner?
.............

The ratio will work out. It is just 7 positions. But of course teams want quality production from those spots. And depth can really help a team be competitive.

It seems to me we do have some vulnerability regarding the ratio.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
JohnnyMusso
Champion
Posts: 963
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:03 pm

Everything is quiet now. The rest of the signings will come from US free agent camps and the Canadian draft. Still feel we need a Canadian kicker rather than go with an import. Leone is a great punter, but way too inconsistent as a field goal and convert kicker. He missed way too many converts last year that cost us a game or two. if we got a Can. kicker than we could keep Foster. He is a great centre that we will cut and replace with Thorn or someone else who is not nearly as good.
Odie
Rookie
Posts: 56
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:16 am

I'm curious... I wonder if Fraser can play that nickel spot. He certainly has the size and mentality. I love his downhill style and he has some great range. If the lions were able to move him into that nickel spot, Edem to safety, Lokombo to LB, it might help the ratio. Then there can be some tinkering in the secondary... Not sure TJ Lee is the corner - was he not a halfback last year? I can see the lions looking at Rwambakawa on the corner to add to the CDN content (backed up by Parker?), but there are some serious players in that DB mix with Darious Lane and Brandon Stewart on the roster...

Whatever the lions decide to do, I, for one, am excited about how these lions are taking shape for 2016 and I think they will be better than they are being given credit for... they werent that far off last year, despite the poor record. On defence, I like the athletes they have amassed. It is a nicer mix of experience and youth...Stewart, Phillips, Bighill and Eliminian have seen it all and add an intangible leadership quality. Moreover, these guys are quick, tough and aggressive - and they are getting even meaner with Eliminian's return. Despite some of the bad press, the D-line seems better to me than its given credit for. Brooks was a monster last year and Minter/Westerman really helped shut down runningbacks towards the end of the season. On the end, when FINALLY given the shot, Roh proved himself worthy and I think he's due for a big season. Menard is solid and Bazzie is a better pass rusher than he gets credit for. Im curious what last year's draft picks will bring to the table.

People will hate me for saying this as well, but I think the lions have upgraded the run game. Harris is a VERY good football player, but was at his best outside the tackles (swing passes into space, sweeps, etc.) which has some effect on the schemes. What they now have are three or four very talented power backs who have proven they can run between the tackles and gain the 'hard yards'. it may not always be pretty, but the ability to grind out a game or threaten the interior run game is a huge advantage - it slows up D-ends. They are also big body backs who can add to the blocking scheme. For the tricky speed back outside the tackles, Rainey is the answer - lightening fast, tough and, as he proved at one point last year, can go vertical. I am not sure about receivers - Nick Moore can add something, but the lions have some fantastic receivers waiting for a shot in Jeffers-Harris and the new guy whose last name begins with a B. Hawkins, in my opinion, is due for a big year.... Moore, Hawkins, Arsenaux, Burnham and Gore are a pretty solid unit... add Jennings' arm and they may make some noise...

Still unsure about the O-Line. I liked Foster and would be sorry to see him go... I am not sure there is someone (a CDN) who can match him at this point and I expect he would be better this year now that he has figured out the CFL.

Excited to see what happens between now and camp - should be another fun ride!
User avatar
B.C.FAN
Team Captain
Posts: 12581
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:28 pm

Odie wrote:I can see the lions looking at Rwambakawa on the corner to add to the CDN content (backed up by Parker?), but there are some serious players in that DB mix with Darious Lane and Brandon Stewart on the roster...
Playing Rwabukamba/Parker at field corner seems to be the most likely way to get an extra Canadian starter on defence.

Darious Lane backed up the nickelback position last year but I believe he was activated for only three games and had no stats. He might have the inside track at the nickelback position unless the Lions want to shake things up by using Lokombo there or moving Bighill to nickel and inserting Lokombo at Bighill's WILL spot. Bighill ran a 4.59 in the 40 at Central Washington's pro day in 2011, which is faster than the identical 4.66 times run by Lokombo at the 2014 NFL Combine and Lane at Harding University's pro day last year.
User avatar
JohnHenry
Champion
Posts: 841
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:46 pm
Location: Crescent Beach

Coast Mountain Lion wrote:I'm not very keen on this five receiver set idea. Not that it's a new idea :bang:
I'm not either. Fullback should be a skill position, skilled at blocking, receiving and rushing. There's no way the QB can follow 5 receivers, most of them are just decoys who are ignored for most of the game. It's better to keep a FB in to pass block, be the lead blocker for the RB, protect the QB's blindside, be an outlet receiver and short yardage specialist.
Lionsfan65
Starter
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:12 am

JohnHenry wrote:I'm not either. Fullback should be a skill position, skilled at blocking, receiving and rushing. There's no way the QB can follow 5 receivers, most of them are just decoys who are ignored for most of the game. It's better to keep a FB in to pass block, be the lead blocker for the RB, protect the QB's blindside, be an outlet receiver and short yardage specialist.
While the 5 receiver set is stanard, I wouldn't mind seeing the lions mix it up and use Lumbala more.
Odie wrote:People will hate me for saying this as well, but I think the lions have upgraded the run game. Harris is a VERY good football player, but was at his best outside the tackles (swing passes into space, sweeps, etc.) which has some effect on the schemes. What they now have are three or four very talented power backs who have proven they can run between the tackles and gain the 'hard yards'. it may not always be pretty, but the ability to grind out a game or threaten the interior run game is a huge advantage - it slows up D-ends. They are also big body backs who can add to the blocking scheme. For the tricky speed back outside the tackles, Rainey is the answer - lightening fast, tough and, as he proved at one point last year, can go vertical. I am not sure about receivers - Nick Moore can add something, but the lions have some fantastic receivers waiting for a shot in Jeffers-Harris and the new guy whose last name begins with a B. Hawkins, in my opinion, is due for a big year.... Moore, Hawkins, Arsenaux, Burnham and Gore are a pretty solid unit... add Jennings' arm and they may make some noise...
I agree the Lions have upgraded their running game. The Lions tried to use Harris as something he is not... a pounding back that can gain tough yards up the middle. We now have three of those. Having a QB with the mobility of Lulay or Jennings also keeps the defense honest on a zone read, as the defensive end must respect the possibility that the QB will pull the ball and run it himself.
Post Reply